President Barack Obama honored former baseball players in the Negro Leagues at a recent White House reception.

The league was a showcase for African Americans, who for decades were prevented from competing with white players in professional baseball.

In his remarks, the president took note of the pride and professionalism with which the veteran baseball players conducted themselves on and off the field of play, as they prepared the way for the integration of Major League baseball by Jackie Robinson in 1947.

Players in attendance included former New York Black Yankee Robert Scott, from Elizabeth; ex-Kansas City Monarch James Robinson from New York City; and Atlantic City resident Pedro Sierra from the Detroit Stars.

Scott, Robinson and Sierra have presented the history of the Negro Leagues at programs throughout New Jersey in tandem with Dr. Lawrence Hogan, Professor Emeritus at Union County College.

Among those accompanying the players to the Aug. 5 White House event were historians Dr. Hogan of Fanwood and Larry Lester of Kansas City, Missouri, both of whom have written extensively on the history of the Negro Leagues.